Best Laser Pointers for Cats

Best Laser Pointers for Cats

Cats love chasing around the small dot of light that laser pointers create. These mimic the movement of their natural prey if you use the laser pointer correctly. Playing with your cat as it chases a laser pointer can be a great way to bond with your feline friend. It’s also a great introductory toy for playing with a cat that doesn’t know you very well or that has trouble trusting new people.

In order to make it easier for you to get a new laser pointer to play with your cat, we went out and did some research. Here are some factors to consider before buying such a laser pointer, as well as a review of a few of the finest ones on the market.

What to Consider Before You Buy a Laser Pointer

You want to get the best products for your cat, even when it comes to laser pointers. It may seem like a simple toy to catch your cat’s interest for a few minutes at a time, but if you want to protect your cat’s best interests, then you will need to keep a few things in mind as you shop for a laser pointer:

Color Is Not Important- Cats can see a wide range of the visible spectrum, and so the color of the laser pointer is not important. One color won’t really do anything more for them than another color would, so you can go with any color you please.

The Toy Is Not as Important as Its Usage– Most laser pointers will do the job just fine, and you don’t have to be too picky about what you get. What is more important than the brand of the laser pointer is how you utilize it with your cat, and you want to try to mimic the movement of prey.

Price- You should not pay a lot of money for a laser pointer. This is a very simple toy that you will not use for more than a few minutes at a time. It makes no sense to invest a lot of money in something that only has minor importance in your cat’s life. As long as it can shine a decent light and not be overly expensive, it is probably a good buy.

Battery Life– When considering price, you also need to factor in battery life. Some laser pointers will eat through batteries like your cat eats through canned food, and others are a far sounder investment. If you are serious about buying the right laser pointer for your cat and your budget, be sure to do a bit of research and see what you can dig up on battery life.

What to Avoid

When you go to buy a laser pointer for your cat or use a laser pointer with your cat, there are a few things you need to try to avoid:

Using Only Laser Pointers for Play– The reason that laser pointers interest cats so much, is because they provide a part of the predatory sequence for cats. That sequence is “stalk, pounce, kill and eat”. The laser pointer allows the cat to experience the first two steps of the hardwired sequence, but they miss out on the other two with this game. You need to mix things up and give them a chance to pounce and attack something while they play.

Weak Light- Your cat needs to be able to see the light as you play with it across the walls and floors. If the light is too weak, then it will be frustrating to play with for both you and the cat. Your cat won’t be able to track the laser pointer very well if it is dim, so be sure to look into that aspect before you buy.

Low-Quality Craftsmanship- Yes, you don’t want to pay very much for a laser pointer for your cat, but you also don’t want something that will only last you for a few weeks. Sometimes, it is necessary to pay a bit more to get a quality product, but you can get some decent laser pointers at a good price, if you just do some research.

Burning Lasers– You are using this laser as a toy, and you don’t want it to hurt your cat or damage your property as you play with it. Therefore, make sure that you keep the laser pointer intensity to below 100 mW and with a diameter greater than 2mm. You should be careful about how you use any laser pointer though. Even when purchasing a low-intensity laser pointer, never point it directly at anybody, including your cat. Remember, it’s just for pointing on the floor and letting your cat chase it a bit.

Product Reviews

There are some great laser pointers out there for your cat. We have reviewed some of the best options, and we hope one of these proves to be a good option for you.

Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy

This is no cheap and fragile laser pointer. It is made of durable materials and is designed to emit an intense but not dangerous light. You can use it with pets and let them play on their own. That’s because it comes with a few safety features like anti-tripping design and auto shutoff to keep them safe.

It is made in the USA and guaranteed to be satisfactory for your needs, so you know you are getting a decent quality laser pointer. The one downside to this is that you need to set up a base to keep it from falling over (the anti-tripping design isn’t fool-proof), but other than that, it is a great buy.

Pros

Quality construction.

Long lasting.

Built-in safety features designed for pets.

Cons

Not too stable.

YSAGi 2 Piece Funny Pet Cat Catch Interactive Light Toy

This is a great laser pointer for those on a budget. It is designed to be safe for pets to use, and it only takes a single battery to operate. That means that the battery life will be a bit short, but you’ll get some good use out of this laser pointer before the battery runs out. It’s very small and fairly durable, so you are definitely getting your money’s worth.

Pros

Affordably priced.

Safe for pets.

Compact size.

Cons

Battery needs to be replaced frequently.

Cat Laser Pointer Interactive and Fun Exercise Toy for Cats

If you don’t want to have to keep a button pressed the entire time you are using your laser pointer, then this is the one for you. Simply press it once to turn it on and then press it again to turn it off. It’s going to be much easier on your fingers.

It’s pretty easy on your wallet as well, and this one has some decent construction and versatile functions. It’s not as durable as the other ones we have listed so far, but it’s still a decent value for the price. You should note that because it uses a laser diode, it is potentially more dangerous for your cat and you than a typical LED laser.

Pros

Convenient on/off switch.

Great value for your money.

Cons

Not terribly durable.

Potentially less safe for your cat.

FZR Legend [Rechargeable] Interactive Laser Pointer Toys

You get a two-pack of laser pointers for the price that most manufacturers charge for one. These are both compact and reasonably durable, which makes them easy to recommend. They charge very quickly, and it comes with multiple functions. You can use the pointer to emit a UV light, which is often useful for locating and cleaning up your cat’s mess.

Pros

Multiple functions.

Tons of value.

Compact design.

Cons

Not as durable as our other choices.

Innozon Pack of 2 Laser Pointer Chaser Toys for Cats

You can get more out of your laser pointer than just a red light for your cat to play with. This one doubles as a flashlight, and it comes with two in a pack for added value. These are decently designed, but don’t expect yours to last more than a year. Of course, for the price of these pointers, you can’t expect a lot from them, so the value you do get may be surprising.

Pros

Cheapest option that is of decent quality.

Serves both as a flashlight and a laser pointer.

Only needs one battery.

Cons

Relatively short battery light.

Somewhat flimsy construction.

Final Purrs

As you can see, we covered a range of budgets and needs for laser pointers. Hopefully, you can find one from this list that is a good fit for your cat and you. If you don’t happen to like one of the above products, just follow our guide on important factors to consider when shopping for a pointer. You will eventually find something you will like, which will also give you a lot of great quality time with your feline.

Katie Cohen is a freelance writer specializing in the subject of feline health and behavior. An avid dog lover and adoring owner of two cats. When she’s not working she loves going to the park with her two Weimaraner’s Lily and Bells

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